How to Introduce a Second Dog to Your Family

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Friend, family member and guardian – your dog is more than just a pet. So, if you’re considering adding another furry friend to your home, it’s important to take into consideration the needs of everyone involved. Here’s everything you need to know about introducing a second dog into the family.

Is your first dog friendly towards others?

Not all dogs are social animals. As a pet owner, you’ve probably observed that dogs each have their own unique dispositions and quirks. While the stereotype of a dog as a fun loving friend who just wants to chase balls and sniff other dogs all day long is appropriate most of the time, some canines just prefer their own space.

Know your dog’s limits

Before introducing a second dog to the family you’ll need to consider the disposition of your current furry friend. Consider the following questions:

It’s your responsibility

In some situations you may be able to train these behaviours out of your dog before inviting another pet into the family. Ultimately, it’s your responsibility as an owner to make decisions that keep everyone safe and happy.

Of course, if your pet is a friendly, sociable type, you’re already in a good position to look at adopting another dog.

Selecting the right companion

Think back to when you chose your first dog. You probably looked at qualities like disposition, energy and size in determining what kind of canine would be a good fit for your home. Selecting a second dog is much the same, only you’ll want to factor in your current pet’s needs as well as your own.

Disposition

Dogs are a lot like people, but you probably knew that already. What you perhaps haven’t considered is that matching the perfect pairing of furbuddies isn’t just a case of opposites attract.

There’s only one top dog

Good natured dogs will get along with each other no problems, but dogs that prefer to be the ‘boss’ of the canine family should be catered to as well. Just because you’ve got one assertive pooch doesn’t mean you should go out and get another. They’ll spend a lot of time challenging each other for top spot, leading to conflicts in the home.

Leader of the pack

Dogs are pack animals, they establish a ‘pecking order’ among themselves based on disposition. It doesn’t matter so much which dog is boss, only that the dogs aren’t always challenging one another for position. Of course, it goes without saying that neither dog should think they are higher than any human members of your family.

Size

If you’re an owner who spend a lot of time at the dog park, you’ve probably noticed how dogs tend to play according to their size. Small and fluffy dogs are more sociable with each other, and bigger, faster dogs prefer games at their own speed.

Small dog, big dog

Every so often a small dog might try their luck with the big ones or a large pup might think they belong with the smaller dogs. Similarly, you might be able to pair a larger dog with a smaller dog in your home if their size and energy dispositions match. Overall though, most dogs will feel more comfortable with other dogs of similar size.

Energy

Like size, it’s important to match the energy of your new dog to that of your current dog. If you’ve got an aging old pooch who’s into their twilight years, consider a similarly aged and low energy pooch. The same logic applies for young, energetic puppies.

If you’re worried about ‘too much’ energy in the house, then you might try introducing a dog who’s more assertive and calm into the mix so that your current dog learns from them. Be careful with matching two dogs that aren’t meant to be. Like all relationships, if there isn’t common ground it won’t be built to last.

Have the time for your new dog

At first, it’s reasonable to expect some teething issues and settling in, so you’ll want to make sure someone can be around to keep an eye on things for the first couple of weeks, just to be sure.

Long term, you’ll need to be certain you have the time, money and space to actually look after two dogs and give them a good home, over both their life spans. This includes:

Having the time to exercise and socialise with both.

Having the budget to afford food, hygiene products and vet visits.

Having the space in your home to fit both dogs

General tips

There’s a few other considerations to keep in mind when filling the ranks of your home with furry friends.

There’s increased risk of fighting between two dogs of the same gender. While this isn’t a hard and fast rule, it’s something to consider.

Siblings from the same litter will bond more with each other than other members of the family. So you might want to choose dogs that aren’t related.

Small variances in size, energy and disposition are fine. Larger ones are not.

A second dog is not a ‘cure’

There’s no one size fits all when it comes to the best makeup in your dog and human family. Dogs that suffer from separation anxiety aren’t likely to be cured by introducing a second pet, and while some dogs will be happier with a canine friend, it’s not a requirement for a fulfilling dog life. Every dog is different, so make the best choices you can for both you, your family, your dog, and your new additions to the family.

Liz Walden

Liz has a passion for all things cat and dog, and was one of the first in Australia to bring Pet Insurance to the market. She has headed up Petsecure marketing for the past 10 years, and is committed to promoting and supporting the amazing work done by rescue groups around Australia, and those who work to promote a better life for all animals

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This is general advice only, you should read the Policy Terms & Conditions available and consider if this product is appropriate for you. Petsecure Pet Insurance is issued by The Hollard Insurance Company Pty Ltd AFSL 241436 (Hollard). The information is provided by Waldenwood Group Pty Ltd AFSL 278954 in its own right and not on Hollard’s behalf.